By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

The Van Buren Town Board approved the 2021 town budget at its Nov. 4 meeting.

Comptroller Greg Maxwell, who is retiring next year, gave an overview of the budget. (See infographic for the highlights.) Spending is up just $44,016 from 2020, and while the tax levy is $80,626 higher, the typical taxpayer’s bill will be a bit less than in 2020.

Maxwell said Van Buren practices zero-based budgeting, which does not just increase budget lines by a certain percentage. This method does not leave department heads feeling as though they must spend every penny by the end of the fiscal year and allows the town to maintain a healthy fund balance.

Supervisor Claude Sykes thanked the town’s department heads for submitting reasonable budget proposals.

“We depend on the department heads to do what’s right for the taxpayers and they did that,” he said.

To view a video of Maxwell’s budget presentation, visit vimeo.com/476040532/. The 2021 budget and tax rates are available at townofvanburen.com.

Taxes stable in Lysander

The Lysander Town Board approved the 2021 town budget at its Nov. 5 meeting. (See infographic for the highlights.)

The town’s goal, Supervisor Bob Wicks said, was to avoid a tax increase this year but also to set up a foundation for small, incremental tax increases in coming years instead of dramatic highs and lows in the tax rate from year to year.

“You can’t do it all in one year because it negatively affects the tax rate,” he said. “Most taxpayers want a stable tax rate so they know what they can count on.”

To view a video of Comptroller David Rahrle’s budget presentation, visit vimeo.com/476040532/. The 2021 budget and tax rates are available at townoflysander.org.